The core curriculum also provides students with the basic equivalent of a bachelor's degree in landscape architecture. For full-time students with degrees from other non-design disciplines, the core usually takes three semesters to complete. For all students, electives must be concentrated in a specialization or interest area which supports the student's thesis and/or the student's professional objectives.
   An approved degree plan must be submitted no later than the start of the student's second semester of graduate work.
   The following course work is a suggestion to meet the program mission. Each student will be counseled, based upon interests and background, to develop an appropriate degree plan.

The Core Curriculum
Semester 1
LARC 5661 Design Studio I
LARC 5320 Communications for Landscape Architects
LARC 5341 Landscape Technology I
LARC 5330 Plant Identification and Ecology
Total Credit Hours: 15

Semester 2
LARC 5662 Design Studio II
LARC 5342 Landscape Technology II
LARC 5312 History and Theory of Landscape Architecture I
LARC 5331 Planting Design
Total Credit Hours: 15

Semester 3
LARC 5663 Design Studio III: Site Planning
Landscape Architecture Elective (3 hours)
LARC 5313 History and Theory of Landscape Architecture II
LARC 5321 Advanced Communications (or approved substitute)
Total Credit Hours: 15

   After completing 45 credit hours, the first professional degree student is evaluated by means of an academic review and portfolio review by the Graduate Studies Committee. The committee identifies areas of strength and weakness in the student's performance and recommends appropriate action.
   Upon completion of the three core semesters, the student is required to develop an area of specialization or primary interest. The student must consult with faculty advisors to complete this step, which includes a preliminary agreement between student and faculty advisors regarding the specialization or primary interest and the appropriate research method to support it. If a student is interested in Advanced Landscape Architecture, for example, a probable program of study could look like this:

Advanced Landscape Architecture
Semester 4
LARC 5664 Design Studio IV (CAD experience required)
LARC 5340 Professional Practice
LARC 5380 Research Methods in Landscape Architecture
LARC 5302 Land Development Planning
Total Credit Hours: 15

Semester Between Academic Year 2 and 3
LARC 5681 Professional Practicum or
LARC 5695 Independent Study Abroad or
LARC 5683 Independent Study Area of Specialization or Controlled Electives
LARC 5660 Enrichment Design Studio (if necessary)
Total Credit Hours: 6

Semester 5
LARC 5665 Design Studio V
Advanced or Independent Study in Landscape Architecture (9 hours)
Total Credit Hours: 15

Semester 6
LARC 5698 Thesis
LARC 5294 Master's Comprehensive Examination
Advanced or Independent Study in Landscape Architecture (3 hours)
Total Credit Hours: 11
Minimum Credit Hours Required for Graduation: 92

   Students pursuing other primary areas of interest also must consult with appropriate faculty advisors for approval.

Advanced Standing
   Students from backgrounds other than landscape architecture or its related fields must complete the 92 credits required in the curriculum. Students with degrees and/or professional experience in fields related to landscape architecture (such as architecture, engineering, environmental design, horticulture, interior design, planning and the like) may apply for advanced standing, allowing them to enter the academic phase (second year) of the curriculum. Advanced standing in these cases requires a minimum of 62 total credit hours for graduation.
   Students with first professional degrees in landscape architecture also may apply for advanced standing, allowing them to enter the research (third year) phase of the curriculum. Advanced standing in these cases requires a minimum of 30 total credit hours for graduation.

Minimum Program for Advanced Standing
(Students from Fields of Study Related to Landscape Architecture)

Semester 1
LARC 5663 Design Studio III
LARC 5330 Plant Identification and Ecology
LARC 5321 Advanced Communications (or approved substitute)
LARC 5313 History and Theory of Landscape Architecture II
Total Credit Hours: 15

Semester 2
LARC 5664 Design Studio IV (CAD experience required)
LARC 5342 Landscape Technology II
LARC 5332 Planting Design
LARC 5302 Land Development Planning
Total Credit Hours: 15